Lot 3620
1855-C $5 Liberty. NGC graded MS-60. A rare coin in mint state, the original mintage of 39,788 entered circulation and stayed there for the most part, and this date is very difficult to find in mint state. A few "sea water" coins were discovered in a Confederate transport shipwreck some years ago, but this coin does not have the matte surfaces encountered on the shipwreck coins. A fair amount of luster in the fields disturbed by the expected handling ticks from transport and bag inventories. As to the strike, it is sharp for the mint and period, with just a trace of weakness on the eagle's thigh. As to the die state, this one is most fascinating, there is a huge reverse die cud where a piece of the die has completely broken away above AMER, touching the tops of ME, and the obverse shows some weakness in the area opposite. We note another example of this date state was offered in the massive Harry Bass holdings in the second session of that sale by Bowers and Merena, but that coin graded EF. Here is a mint state example, and no doubt extremely rare with this reverse cud. As we know, all mints were very careful about replacing gold dies when they became damaged or broken, and few coins are seen with full cuds after about 1810. One for the specialist! NGC has graded 3 as MS-60, and 7 above, while PCGS has graded 1 as MS-60 and 3 above.
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
|
| |
| Realized $9,488 |
